A Development Panel At Last

August 09, 1999

Hartford's Economic Development Commission is finally in business.

Unlike Gov. John G. Rowland's Capital City Economic Development Authority, which provides public funding for specific downtown projects, the commission has responsibility for the entire city. It will be recruiting businesses and recommending loans and tax incentives for new enterprises of varying sizes, all subject to city council approval. Some of the commission's projects could be as small as helping an entrepreneur open a corner grocery store.

The commission should also strive to become a wise and informed overseer, with its finger on the pulse of market conditions and able to quickly advise the city on which proposals make sense, which deserve or require city assistance and which are merely greedy raids on the public weal.

Before a single tax break is awarded, however, the commission intends to prepare a comprehensive economic development plan for the city. The goal is to have a plan by early next year.

Glenda Copes Reed, who has been appointed as the commission's interim director, has her work cut out. Her job will be to work with merchants and neighborhood groups in completing business development projects that have already been approved but are stalled. She will also be setting the stage for her permanent replacement, whom the commission expects to hire within six months.

Commission members, most of whom are professionals who live in Hartford, have wisely avoided making big promises or setting sweeping goals. ``Let our work speak for itself,'' says chairwoman Suzanne M. Hopgood.

One suggestion for the commission is that members who run for public office in the city should step aside during their campaign. That should be done to avoid appearance of conflict on a panel that should be nonpartisan and beyond reproach.

Two commissioners, attorneys Richard F. Wareing and Kenneth H. Kennedy Jr., are candidates for the city council. Either candidate may find himself receiving campaign funds from someone doing business with the commission.

Hartford hasn't had an economic development director -- let alone a plan or a commission -- since 1997. A coordinated approach to expanding existing businesses and recruiting new ones is welcome.